Bat covering with hand warmer pockets to keep the bat barrel warm

ABSTRACT

An insulated covering includes strategically placed hand warmer pockets in which hand warmers can be inserted to heat the bat barrel. The heat from the hand warmers can eliminate vibration on the hands and allow the ball to travel further. In addition, the covering protects the bat barrel from dents and scratches. The covering will also fit in a bat bag which will eliminate the need to carry two different bags. A user can open a pack of conventional hand warmers, slide them into the pockets on the bat covering, and place their bat inside. The pockets may be made of a breathable fabric, such as mesh. The pockets may be formed in strategic positions inside the insulated bat covering.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/615,833, filed Mar. 26, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to baseball/softball accessories and, more particularly, to a baseball/softball bat covering with hand warmer pockets to keep the barrel warm.

Cold baseball and softball bat barrels have reduced flexibility and cause vibration on the hands while impeding the ball from traveling as far as would be achieved with a warmer bat. Moreover, cold bats with reduced flexibility can make the bat brittle and can cause the bat to crack or break with striking a baseball or softball.

Conventional coverings use large white pads that are put into a microwave, which can be difficult to find on a ball field, to attempt to keep a bat warm all day. Also, other coverings are way too large to fit in a bat bag, requiring players to carry two bags.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved device for keeping baseball and softball bats warm for play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a bat covering comprises an insulated sleeve fitting about a bat; and a plurality of pockets formed in the insulated sleeve, the pockets adapted to hold an instant warming pouch therewithin.

In another aspect of the present invention, a bat covering comprises an insulated sleeve having an open end and a closed end, the insulated sleeve operable to fit about a bat; a plurality of pockets formed on an interior of the insulated sleeve, the pockets adapted to hold an instant warming pouch therewithin; a strap disposed on an open end of the insulated sleeve, the strap adapted for wrapping about an end portion of the bat disposed in the insulated sleeve; and a closable opening formed from an open end of the insulated sleeve toward a closed end of the insulated sleeve.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bat covering, securing a bat therein, having pockets for holding a warming element, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the bat covering of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the bat covering of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bat removed from the bat covering of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1, omitting the bat for illustrative clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an insulated covering that includes strategically placed hand warmer pockets in which hand warmers can be inserted to heat the bat barrel. The heat from the hand warmers can eliminate vibration on the hands and allow the ball to travel further. In addition, the covering protects the bat barrel from dents and scratches. The covering will also fit in a bat bag which will eliminate the need to carry two different bags. A user can open a pack of conventional hand warmers, slide them into the pockets on the bat covering, and place their bat inside. The pockets may be made of a breathable fabric, such as mesh. The pockets may be formed in strategic positions inside the insulated bat covering.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, a bat 10 can fit inside a bat cover body 12 that can fit about the exterior of the bat 10. The bat cover body 12 can include an opening, such as a zipper 18 can allow access to place the bat 10 in and out of the bat cover body 12. The zipper 18 can be optional, but can permit easy access to pockets 14 formed inside the cover body 12. The zipper 18 can be replaced by various fasteners, such as buttons, snaps, hook and loop fastener, or the like. The bat cover body 12 can be designed as an insulated sleeve that fits over the bat 10.

A plurality of pockets 14 can be formed inside the bat cover body 12, typically in a breathable fabric, such as a mesh fabric. The pockets 14 can be strategically placed so that heat from hand warmers 16 placed in the pockets 14 can eliminate vibration on the hands caused from a cold bat. While the Figures show four pockets 14 formed in the bat cover body 12, any number of pockets 14 can be disposed in the bat cover body to provide sufficient heating of the bat 10 when needed.

A strap 24 may be formed to cinch around the end of the bat cover body 12. The strap 24 may be, for example, a hook and loop, such as Velcro®, strap designed to hold the bat 20 in the bat cover body 12.

A clip strap 22, having a snap hook 20, may be disposed at the open end of the bat cover body 12. Another clip strap 22, having another snap hook 20, can be disposed at the opposite, closed end of the bat cover body 12. This clip strap 22 may be an elastic strap, for example.

The bat cover body 12 can be made in various sizes to accommodate various sized bats. While the Figures shows a particular pocket configuration, other configurations of pockets, including their placement and number of pockets, can vary within the scope of the present invention.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bat covering comprising: an insulated sleeve fitting about a bat; and a plurality of pockets formed in the insulated sleeve, the pockets adapted to hold an instant warming pouch therewithin.
 2. The bat covering of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pockets are accessible from an inside of the insulated sleeve.
 3. The bat covering of claim 1, further comprising a strap disposed on an open end of the insulated sleeve, the strap adapted for wrapping about an end portion of the bat disposed in the insulated sleeve.
 4. The bat covering of claim 1, further comprising a clip strap extending from an open end of the insulated sleeve and a clip attached to an end of the clip strap.
 5. The bat covering of claim 1, further comprising an elastic clip strap extending from a closed end of the insulated sleeve and a clip attached to an end of the elastic clip strap.
 6. The bat covering of claim 1, further comprising an opening formed from an open end of the insulated sleeve toward a closed end of the insulated sleeve.
 7. The bat covering of claim 1, further comprising a zipper for opening and closing the opening.
 8. A bat covering comprising: an insulated sleeve having an open end and a closed end, the insulated sleeve operable to fit about a bat; a plurality of pockets formed on an interior of the insulated sleeve, the pockets adapted to hold an instant warming pouch therewithin; a strap disposed on an open end of the insulated sleeve, the strap adapted for wrapping about an end portion of the bat disposed in the insulated sleeve; and a closable opening formed from an open end of the insulated sleeve toward a closed end of the insulated sleeve.
 9. The bat covering of claim 8, further comprising a zipper for opening and closing the closable opening.
 10. The bat covering of claim 1, further comprising: a clip strap extending from the open end of the insulated sleeve; a first clip attached to an end of the clip strap; an elastic clip strap extending from the closed end of the insulated sleeve; and a second clip attached to an end of the elastic clip strap. 